Ogemaw Family Dentistry is a full service dental practice. General dentistry includes the traditional procedures you expect to have performed at your dental office - Comprehensive exams, pediatric dental care, prevention, cleanings and deep cleaning, fillings, crowns, emergency dental care, and anxiety management. We see patients of all ages, we intend for your entire family to be a part of our practice.
Exams
Your initial exam will include a comprehensive assessment of your head and neck. You will be informed of Dr. Bachelder's findings, recommended treatment, and options. Then you and Dr. Bachelder will decide on the right treatment plan for your dental conditions.
X-ray's are taken when necessary to do a full evaluation of your teeth and jaws. We never take more than we need to.
A complete oral cancer screening is done at every exam, this is done to monitor, identify, and intervene when or if any lesion of concern appears. A proper oral cancer screening consists of extra-oral, and intra-oral assessment.
Preventative Care
Preventative care includes routine cleanings and oral health education. Our hygiene team values educating you on how to best care for your oral health. We discuss preventative measures such as fluoride or hydroxyapatite varnishes to strengthen or rebuild your enamel. We review proper flossing and brushing technique, discuss diet, habits, and more. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about caring for your mouth.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleanings are done when a patient has periodontitis, (bone and gum disease).
When hard plaque (calculus) and bacteria are trapped below the gum line, your bone starts to recede away from the buildup. Bone loss cannot be regained once it is lost.
The goal of a deep cleaning is to remove the buildup, and prevent further bone and gum loss.
After the deep cleaning, we will see you for routine maintenance cleanings to prevent the large buildup from accumulating again.
Pediatric Dental Care
Dr. Bachelder values making the dental visits pleasant, safe, and enjoyable for your children.
It is very important to Dr. Bachelder that parents have the opportunity to get the proper education on how best to care for their children's teeth.
Dr. Bachelder encourages parents to bring in their infants before 6 months old - earlier if you suspect a tongue or lip tie in your infant, for their first dental visit. She will evaluate your baby, ask about feeding, and other infant activities and behaviors, and discuss the best way to take care of your baby's mouth as they age. This is not only beneficial for the parent, but it also starts to teach your baby that the dentist is a safe place for them, and not a scary place to come when your tooth hurts.
Emergency Dental Care
We work hard to serve our community, if you feel you have a dental emergency, call us right away. Dental emergencies can include dental infections, facial swelling, abscesses, broken teeth, and severe head and neck pain. If you ever feel your emergency is life threatening, if you have a fever or rash from a dental infection, go to the emergency room immediately. If you are unable to contact our office but feel you have a dental emergency go to an urgent care, or emergency room.
Fillings
Fillings are done when there is decay in a tooth. Removing the decay is essential to your oral health. If a cavity is left in your tooth, not only will the cavity grow, but the cavity can and will spread to other teeth in your mouth. Decay is transmissible tooth to tooth, just like a cold spreads person to person.
Once the decay is removed, the tooth is re-built with filling material. At OFD, we prefer to place white fillings (composite) because Dr. Bachelder feels they are usually the best option to rebuild your tooth. Historically dentists used to use metal (silver/amalgam) fillings. While those were the standard of care at that time, science in health care has come a long way. If Dr. Bachelder diagnoses decay in one of your teeth, ask Dr. Bachelder about what type of filling material is best for you.
Crowns
Crowns are done when the structural integrity of the tooth is compromised. This happens when there is a very large cavity, needing a very large filling. Once the large filling is in the tooth, the tooth is not as strong as it used to be, and now a full coverage cap (crown) is needed in order to protect the tooth, and prevent it from breaking.
Prosthodontics
Prosthodontics includes dentistry procedures to replace missing teeth. This includes bridges, implants, dentures, partial dentures, and more.
Bridges are a permanent solution to replacing a missing tooth. A crown or cap goes on each tooth next to the missing space, with a fake tooth connected in the middle.
Implants are a great way to replace missing teeth. An implant is a screw in your bone that connects to a fake tooth. Implants can also be used to hold dentures, or to replace multiple teeth (implant bridge).
Dentures, sometimes called plates, are plastic removable teeth that are made to fit your gums and mouth. They replace all of your teeth and are made when you do not have any teeth left, or need all of your teeth removed.
Partial dentures replace some teeth. If you are missing some teeth but the rest of your teeth are healthy and strong, a partial denture can be made. A partial denture most often has a metal framework for stability and strength, and plastic teeth. The metal framework sits on your remaining teeth for support.
Root Canals
Root canals are done when a tooth is infected, dead, or dying. Infected, dead, and dying teeth cause infection and inflammation in the bone surrounding the tooth, this causes pain and the infection can and will spread. Root canals are where the nerve of the tooth is removed from the canal, the canal disinfected, then filled up and sealed off to prevent any more bacteria from getting into the canal space. This is done in order to allow the surrounding bone to heal from the infected, dead, or dying tooth.
Anti-Anxiety Medications
We understand how stressful, and even scary the dental office can be. It is important to our team that you feel as comfortable as possible in our office. Anti-anxiety measures can include white noise, blankets, neck pillows, essential oils, and in certain circumstances - medications.
Certain patients have severe anxiety about dental care. Sometimes, it is appropriate to utilize measures to make the patient most comfortable. Medications can include laughing gas, or prescription medications. Dr. Bachelder will review your medical history, medications, and conditions, then discuss possible anti-anxiety measures we can take to make your treatment in our office the most safe and comfortable as possible.
